London - Lincoln's Inn

Lincoln's Inn is one of the four great Inns of Court, the others being the Middle and Inner Temple and Gray's Inn. It is named after a 14th century Earl of Lincoln who founded a school for the training of lawyers, and first appears in the records under its present name in 1422. Celebrated members of Lincoln's Inn have included Sir Thomas More, William Pitt, Horace Walpole, John Henry Newman, George Canning, Benjamin Disraeli, William Ewart Gladstone and H. H. Asquith. The complex includes buildings dating from the 15th century onwards, the 19th century Library and New Hall (dining hall), the Chapel and numerous barristers' and solicitors' chambers, as well as the large and beautifully kept gardens. The gardens and the Chapel are open to the public. The Chapel, originally built by Inigo Jones in Gothic style (1623), was radically restored by Wren in 1685. Notable features are the old oak pews, the 17th century Flemish stained glass (restored) and the18th century pulpit. The open crypt below was for many years the meeting place of barristers and their clients. The New Hall (1845) has a huge mural, 15m/45ft high, by G. F. Watts. In the same building is the Library (founded 1470), which has a collection of over 150,000 law books. Other elements in the complex are the Stone Buildings (18th century), dwelling houses occupied by barristers; the 17th century New Square, with barristers' chambers; the picturesque Old Buildings (16th and 17th century); and the Old Hall (built 1491, restored 1924-28), which was occupied until 1883 by the Court of Chancery.